The technology is based on the detection of a gas, referred to as “tracer gas.” This gas is a pre-made blend of hydrogen (5%) and nitrogen (95%). It is injected into the system that is suspected of leaking, using a pressure cylinder and a regulator. The gas escapes the system through the leak and is identified by a sensitive hydrogen sensor in SNIFFER430. The detection application is somewhat similar to using a metal detector; the operator moves it side to side, close to the ground, and watches the display to identify the area with the highest concentration of gas, indicating the location of the leak. It really is that simple.

There are three main leak detection methods: Acoustic, which relies on sensitive hearing of the leak; Thermal, which tracks the temperature difference around the leak; and the Tracer Gas method. Among these, the tracer gas leak detection method is the most accurate, responsive, and reliable.

The Acoustic Method is probably the most common "old school" way of finding leaks. It is used for in house and garden water leak detection and big water lines, also pool leak detection.

- It can be a complicated process.

- It requires more experience (You need to know if the noise you hear is really a leak).

- You can only detect leaks that are producing hissing sound (i.e. very small leaks, very big leaks).

- You may need to filter out different acoustic noises to hear the leak.

- It's much more difficult to know the exact position of a leak.

- Less accurate because sound travels differently in various media, whether soft or hard.

The Thermal Method uses thermal cameras to find a difference in temperature which can identify a leak's approximate location.

- It's not always reliable because a leak does not always result in a noticeable temperature difference.

- It is not applicable for underground or pool leaks.

- It shows you position of water in the structure but thats not necessarily where the leak is.

- You need to have eye contact with the surface. If a leak is behind an object you will not see it.

- If water from the leak is not touching the surface you may not even notice it.

The Tracer Gas Method detects the actual gas escaping from the leak and can successfully detect leaks even through 10 feet of soil or through a thick layer of concrete. You inject tracer gas into the water pipe, then you walk along the pipes measuring gas readings. Once you know the general area, you play hot/cold until you find the leak.

- Tracer Gas can be bought locally,

- It's non toxic and safe, can be injected into water lines,

- You don’t need a license to carry this gas.

- You can only apply tracer gas in smaller diameter lines. Larger pipes need larger volume of gas. (Large city lines it its impractical.)

- Tracer gas may not go through different kinds of sealed materials. You may need to make small drill holes to let gas through, although this is not very common.

- If you test a pipe in a big empty space like a wall where the gas fills the whole space, you will not be able to locate the leak. However, this is acoustic and thermal devices also have this same issue.

- You can find extremely small leaks.

- You don’t need to have eye contact with the source of the leak.

- You detect the exact source of the leak, not just general water like with thermal devices.

The tracer gas, a commercial blend of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen, can be purchased at welding and gas supply stores such as Airgas, Praxair, and others. For instance, at a Praxair store in California, the tracer gas code is NI HY5U-K, and it comes in a cylinder size of 250 cf. The order lead time is typically 3-4 days, with a cost of $215.25 and a monthly cylinder rental fee of $27.

The amount of gas required depends on the size of the leaking system. To introduce the tracer gas into the system, it is only necessary to pressurize it slightly above atmospheric pressure, so 20-25 psi is usually sufficient. Even if the system contains water or other fluids, the tracer gas can be introduced; it will bubble through the liquid and find its way to the leak, where it can be detected by the sensitive sensor.

It’s important to keep the equipment clean and protected from water or humidity. Calibration of the sensor is not required throughout its lifespan.

The tracer gas is a blend of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen. Due to the very small size of hydrogen molecules, they can penetrate through thick and dense materials. Successful detection through 9-10 feet of soil and several inches of concrete has been reported. The exact depth of penetration varies and depends on the density and other physical properties of the material being penetrated.

Given that the detection involves tracer gas, it can be injected into any system. Examples include hot and cold water systems, steam systems, propane or butane systems, oil and fuel systems, and more.

Shipping and handling begins as soon as your payment is cleared. Shipment may take up to a week, assuming we have available inventory.

We offer a 1-year warranty on mechanical or electrical components. The warranty does not cover damage due to water, broken parts resulting from mechanical impacts, or equipment failure due to dropping.